Southern Poolscapes designs and builds custom gunite inground swimming pools across Destin, FL — the Emerald Coast’s premier luxury market. From the Crystal Beach bayfront and Holiday Isle to Kelly Plantation and Regatta Bay, we transform Okaloosa County backyards into resort-quality outdoor living spaces. Florida Certified Pool Contractor #CPC1458821.

Destin’s Trusted Pool Contractors

Destin homeowners expect more from a pool than a basic rectangle. We’ve built luxury custom pools throughout Destin and Okaloosa County since 2015 — vanishing edges overlooking Choctawhatchee Bay, oversized resort builds inside gated communities, and bayfront pools engineered around the high water table. We handle permits through the City of Destin Building Department and Okaloosa County Building Inspections — the paperwork is never your problem.

Custom Gunite Pools — Our Specialty

For Destin’s higher-end market, gunite is the only real option — and it’s our specialty. No mold limitations means your pool can be exactly what you envisioned — vanishing edges, swim-up bars, integrated spas, raised walls with sheer descents, grottos, full resort-style builds. Gunite shells last 50+ years and deliver the highest home-value uplift of any pool type, which matters in a market where homes routinely change hands. Learn more about gunite pool construction.

Fiberglass Pools — A Secondary Option

We also install fiberglass when the project calls for it — typically rental-property pools where installation speed and lower chemistry overhead matter more than design freedom. Fiberglass is locked into factory shapes, capped at about 8 feet of depth, and the shell lifespan is roughly half of gunite. For Destin’s primary residences and luxury second homes, we still recommend gunite. Learn more about fiberglass pools.

Neighborhoods We Serve in Destin

We build pools throughout Destin and the wider Okaloosa County: Crystal Beach, Holiday Isle, Sandestin, Kelly Plantation, Regatta Bay, Indian Bayou, Driftwood Estates, Emerald Bay, Miramar Beach, plus Fort Walton Beach, Niceville, and Shalimar. Our Pensacola office is a short drive west.

Comprehensive Pool Solutions:

Whether you envision a custom Gunite pool, a low-maintenance fiberglass pool, or a pool renovation to revitalize your existing space, we offer a comprehensive range of pool services tailored to your specific needs:

1. Gunite Pool Construction: Our Gunite pools are a true work of art, meticulously designed to harmonize with your landscape and lifestyle. With a wide array of design options and features, we create a pool that perfectly suits your preferences.
2. Fiberglass Pool Installation: Experience the ease and elegance of a fiberglass pool, expertly installed to provide you with years of enjoyment. Our fiberglass pools are available in various sizes and styles, catering to your individual taste.
3. Pool Renovations and Remodeling: If your current pool needs a facelift, our pool renovation and remodeling services can transform it into a modern oasis, equipped with the latest amenities and finishes.
4. Pool Replastering: Restore the brilliance of your pool with our pool replastering services, enhancing its durability and aesthetics.
5. Outdoor Living Spaces: Our expertise extends beyond pools, as we craft stunning outdoor living spaces featuring fireplaces, kitchens, pergolas, and more, making your backyard an enchanting extension of your home.

Client-Centric Approach:

Your satisfaction is our top priority. We take the time to understand your vision, preferences, and budget, tailoring our services accordingly. From the initial design consultation to the final construction phase, we keep you informed and involved every step of the way, ensuring a seamless and stress-free pool building experience.

Why Destin Homeowners Choose Southern Poolscapes

Since 2015, Southern Poolscapes has built the kind of high-end gunite pools that Destin homeowners and second-home owners expect. We’re a Florida Certified Pool Contractor (#CPC1458821) with a Pensacola office and crews that handle every gunite shoot, fiberglass set, and finish in-house — no random subs. Every project starts with a free 3D pool design rendering that shows your finished pool in your actual backyard, with your actual landscape.

Pool Financing in Destin

For homeowners and second-home buyers, we partner with Lyon Financial, HFS Financial, and Viking Capital — pool-specific lenders offering competitive rates and long terms for qualified buyers. Explore pool financing options.

Frequently Asked Questions — Pool Builders Destin FL

What kind of pool should I build in Destin, FL?
For Destin’s luxury and primary-residence market we recommend a custom gunite pool. Gunite is the only material that supports the vanishing edges, integrated spas, custom shapes, and resort-style features Destin buyers expect — with a 50+ year shell and the highest resale value of any pool type. We also install fiberglass for rental properties when speed matters, but gunite is our specialty and what we’ll usually recommend.

Who issues pool permits in Destin and Okaloosa County?
Inside Destin city limits, residential pool permits are issued by the City of Destin Building Department. In unincorporated Okaloosa County (Sandestin, parts of Miramar Beach, surrounding areas), permits go through Okaloosa County Growth Management / Building Inspections. We handle the entire permit and inspection process under Florida license #CPC1458821.

Can you build a pool on a Destin bayfront lot?
Yes. Bayfront and waterfront construction is one of our specialties. We engineer every Destin pool with appropriate hydrostatic relief, dewatering, and — where relevant — setback and FDEP compliance for bay-adjacent work. Send us your lot and we’ll tell you what’s feasible before you commit to anything.

Why is gunite the better choice for Destin homes?
Destin’s luxury market expects vanishing edges, integrated spas, raised walls with sheer descents, and custom shapes that fit unusual lots — none of which fiberglass can deliver. Gunite is built on-site to your exact specs, lasts 50+ years, and adds the most home value on resale. For a market where homes regularly trade, gunite is almost always the right call.

Do you build pools for short-term-rental properties in Destin?
Yes. For pure rental properties where design freedom matters less than turnover speed and chemistry overhead, we’ll consider fiberglass. Otherwise we recommend gunite — it adds more rental appeal and resale value than fiberglass over the life of the property.

How long does it take to build a pool in Destin?
From permit approval to swimmable water, most custom gunite projects in Destin take 14–20 weeks given the higher-end finishes and outdoor-living tie-ins. Permitting through Destin or Okaloosa County typically adds 3–6 weeks. Fiberglass installs are 6–10 weeks.

Do you handle outdoor living spaces with pool projects?
Yes. Most of our Destin builds include an integrated outdoor living component — outdoor kitchen, pergola, fireplace, or screen enclosure. See outdoor living spaces.

Is Southern Poolscapes licensed and insured in Florida?
Yes. Southern Poolscapes is a Florida Certified Pool Contractor, license #CPC1458821, fully insured for both general liability and workers’ compensation.

Start Your Destin Pool Project

Ready to build a luxury Destin gunite pool? Schedule a free 3D design consultation or call our Florida office at (850) 530-4085. We’ll come to your Destin property, evaluate the site — including any bayfront or HOA constraints — and design the pool that fits.